Absolute Batman, Joker: Laugh Riot, and Krypto Series Unveiled
DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation unveiled the next wave of animated projects joining their rapidly growing slate during a joint presentation, “World’s Finest Animation: DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation Showcase,” at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
The presentation featured Peter Safran (Co‑Chairman and Co‑CEO, DC Studios) and Sam Register (President, Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, and Hanna‑Barbera Studios Europe), alongside Warner Bros. Animation artists who shared first looks and creative insights into the next era of DC animation.
Projects announced include an animated adaptation of the award-winning and best-selling DC comic book series Absolute Batman, written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Nick Dragotta. Scott Snyder will serve as executive producer and showrunner, with Dragotta as producer.
The series has sold more than 6 million copies, with Absolute Batman #1 reaching an 11th printing, and all Absolute titles, including Absolute Batman, rank among the top 10 best-selling comics of 2025. Additional projects announced include the first-ever anime DC series, Joker: Laugh Riot, and a new series starring Krypto.
DC STUDIOS AND WARNER BROS. ANIMATION PROJECTS
Joker: Laugh Riot (Series Greenlight, Adult) – network to be announced
When Batman is murdered, the Joker launches a ruthless crusade through Gotham’s underworld to find the killer who took away his greatest adversary.
But as his violent quest for answers pushes him closer towards vigilante than villain, Joker is forced to confront the truth that without Batman, he doesn’t know who he is.
Executive Producer: Jim Krieg
Director: Yasuhuro Aoki
Studio: Warner Bros. Animation, DC Studios, SOLA Entertainment
Absolute Batman (Series Development, Adult) – network to be announced
Absolute Batman boldly reinvents the Batman mythos for a new generation of fans, reimagining the Dark Knight as a working-class hero up against impossible odds (and the most terrifying foes ever), on a mission to prove that even in an era of wealth, power, and corruption, one good person can change the world.
No manor, no money… all Batman. When you take away the manor, the money, the advantages, what you’re left with is something absolute.
Executive Producer: Scott Snyder
Studio: Warner Bros. Animation, DC Studios
Untitled Krypto Project (Series Development, Kids) – network to be announced
When he’s not hanging out with Superman or Supergirl, Krypto tags along with a gang of misfit criminal wannabes who live down the block, and they soon discover he’s a ball of destructive, lovable energy worse than any of them!
As he follows them into misadventures and poorly laid plans, Krypto’s pure nature slowly ends up redeeming them, whether they want it or not.
Executive Producer: C.H. Greenblatt
Studio: Warner Bros. Animation, DC Studios
